Gandhi Agarbatti Scentbatti Ad, 1948. Mont Blanc, 2009

Dipen send in a link to this old ad featuring Gandhi. Timing could not have been better.

The Diwali special issue of 'The Navyug' published on October 31, 1948, had Gandhi's picture in  Bombay Company's Rat brand German incense sticks and jasmine hair oil. 

From private collection of Atul Shah [more at TOI]

And this was only days after Gandhi's death. At least the product looks complete Sawdeshi (in true Indian tradition even having a foreign touch)

And now. Mont Blanc is selling 241 (for Gandhi's 241 Mile Dandi March) Limited Edition 'Luxury' Pen having hand-crafted rhodium plated 18-carat gold nib depicting Gandhiji holding his trademark lathi — all in gold — for 11-14 Lakh. For those how are thinking of selling their house to buy it. Wait. There is also ‘Mahatma Gandhi Limited Edition 3000’ available for Rs.1.7 Lakh (for fountain pen) and Rs.1.5 Lakh (for roller ball. I always thought Fountain Pen rich). So just sell your silverware or burn those Indira Vikas Patras and get to own a piece of Gandhi.
And yes the company is giving 72 Lakh in donation to the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation. A bucket full of money.

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And yes that is Nargis in Lux Ad in the first image. I was checking out India Times galley recently and found some of the stuff originally uploaded by me at this blog(like the vintage Lux Ads from HT and some others) beautifying their site. How about that! That sure gives me a kick!